1
I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.Thomas Jefferson
2
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty.Thomas Jefferson
3
Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing.Thomas Jefferson
4
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.Thomas Jefferson
5
There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.Thomas Jefferson
6
All should be laid open to you without reserve, for there is not a truth existing which I fear, or would wish unknown to the whole world.Thomas Jefferson
7
I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led.Thomas Jefferson
8
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.Thomas Jefferson
9
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.Thomas Jefferson
10
Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.Thomas Jefferson
11
May it [American independence] be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all, ) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately.. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.] .Thomas Jefferson
12
The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.Thomas Jefferson
13
Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of .. . but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.Thomas Jefferson
14
Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.Thomas Jefferson
15
I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.Thomas Jefferson
16
I am satisfied, and sufficiently occupied with the things which are, without tormenting or troubling myself about those which may indeed be, but of which I have no evidence.Thomas Jefferson
17
I may grow rich by an art I am compelled to follow I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment but I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve and abhor.Thomas Jefferson
18
They (religions) dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight and scowl on the fatal harbinger announcing the subversions of the duperies on which they live.Thomas Jefferson
19
Neither Pagan nor Mahamedan nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the Commonwealth because of his religion. -quoting John Locke's argument.Thomas Jefferson
20
A nation which expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, expects that which never was and never will be.Thomas Jefferson